Hearts win over Hibs was just as good as 1998 win against Rangers

May 20 2012 By Kenny MacDonald

JUBILANT Jim Jefferies hailed Hearts’ Cup win and compared it to his 1998 triumph with the Tynecastle team.

The Dunfermline manager, who was replaced at Hearts by Paulo Sergio, savoured the demolition job at Hampden and said: “It’s great – a fantastic result.

“It brought back all the good memories of our win over Rangers in 1998 and it’s a great result for the players and the manager plus all the staff.

“Hearts turned up and played some good stuff. They were totally dominant and the sending-off early in the second half just killed it. There was no fightback after that.”

But Jefferies did feel for his long-time pal and assistant Billy Brown, who is now No.2 to Hibs boss Pat Fenlon.

He said: “I won’t be going out celebrating, I will just have dinner with friends and celebrate it quietly.

“Then I will speak to Billy some time tomorrow. But I’m sure it will be a sore one to take, although I think he knew Hibs were always going to face a big task in taking on Hearts.”

Jefferies shrugged off the feeling he could have steered the Jambos to Cup glory and added: “It’s just one of those things in football and you have to get on with life.

“I’m at Dunfermline now but I know quite a few of the players at the club. Jamie Hamill would have been involved while we brought through Danny Grainger and Stevie Elliott. It was good to see them do well.

“It’s a fantastic day for Hearts and it’s one they’ll celebrate for a long time to come.”

Former Hearts and Scotland star Eamonn Bannon blasted Hibs for the Hampden horror – insisting it had nothing to do with old rivalry.

He said: “Hibs are pathetic. They were a poor team this season and maybe should have or could have been relegated.

“I’m not celebrating because I was neutral as a player and I’m neutral now. I just feel Hibs have not done it this season, while Hearts have been on such a good run.

“Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Hibs, while all the players you would expect to play well played badly.

“It’s probably the poorest Hibs team that’s ever got to a cup final.”

Tynecastle legend Gary Mackay had some sympathy for the beaten finalists. The ex-Scotland star insisted he felt for his Hibs pals and player Paul Hanlon, who he represents as an agent.

Mackay said: “From a Hearts perspective it was a wonderful day but I’ve a few friends with Hibs connections and I’m disappointed for Paul.

“I have genuine sympathy for Hibs while I also have great admiration for Gary Locke, the assistant at Hearts who I played alongside.

“I was at Hearts when we lost 5-1 to Rangers, so I know how hard a defeat like that can hit you – it’s a sore one.

“But it’s a wonderful day for Hearts. I don’t think a lot of Hearts fans envisage d that kind of score.”

Former Hibs and Hearts hero Brian Hamilton said: “It’s sore to lose a final but to lose to your rivals in that manner is even worse.”

Taken from the Daily Record